Lotus has built an amazing motorbike

Good news for the leather romper suit community: Lotus has just released a fresh batch of images of the C-01, the company's first ever motorbike. And doesn't it look astonishing?

And before you file this under ‘Pipedream Render That'll Never Ever Happen', hold on. Because the C-01 is real. And will be built.

Kodewa - the outfit that builds Lotus's Le Mans racer and is in charge of this two-wheeled project - has confirmed that a prototype is road registered and unleashing 200bhp on the streets as we speak.

The C-01 is a design from the pen of VW Group designer Daniel Simon (the genius futurist behind a lot of the Bugatti Veyron and these amazing creations) and made with bits from the Holzer Group, which specialises in making things to go inter outer space.

The C-01's raked-out front forks, long-wheel-base design and wider rubber at the back give it the look of a drag bike. It's also wrapped in a John Player Special carbon livery, which instantly makes anything cool. Not a fan? Don't worry, a range of other legendary liveries that pay homage to Lotus's heritage are also available.

Hanging between the two wheels is a 4-stroke engine, 200bhp V-twin. That's as much power a Renaultsport Clio, in something that weighs only 181kg. No performance figures yet, but we're guessing that you'll have to hold on tight.